The SD FFA Email Newsletter highlights special projects of the SD FFA and SD FFA Foundation.  Please forward this newsletter to others you know who are involved and interested in FFA and agriculture education. Thank you for your support of the FFA in South Dakota!

Director's Message:

As we start a new year, many of us will make resolutions. Let’s resolve to share the benefits of Agriculture, Food, Fiber and Natural Resources programs and FFA with everyone we meet.  What we say (or don’t say) matters!  We never know when what we say will keep a program going in a local school district, create interest in starting a new program, or recruit a new student or a new sponsor.  What we say is very powerful.

Gerri Ann Eide, Executive Director, SD FFA Foundation, Inc.

Upcoming events:

January 28 - SD FFA Executive Committee meeting, Pierre

February 4 - FFA Night with the Stampede @ 7:05pm

February 13-14*- District Officer Training, Pierre

February 14* - FFA Legislative Breakfast and Foundation meeting, Pierre

February 25 - SDSU Corduroy Classic Basketball game @ 5:00pm, Brookings

February 28 - Proficiency and National Chapter Judging, Brookings - JUDGES NEEDED!   

March 2 - Redfield CDE

March 6 - DeSmet CDE

March 9 - State Officer & Ambassador Applications DUE

March 12 - Tri-Valley CDE

March 19 - Flandreau CDE

March 20 - Last day to add members

March 29 - Lennox CDE

April 15-17 - State Convention

     * Rescheduled from January

State Officer Updates

The state FFA officers completed 78 chapter visits this fall.  They  presented workshops to agriculture education classes about teamwork, goal setting, communication, and the benefits of being an FFA member.

International experiences teach us so much about ourselves, relationships with others, and the world around us.  State officers Paul Dybedahl and Olivia Siglin traveled to China Jan. 4-15 as part of the National FFA International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. Along with around 50 officers from across the country they experienced Chinese agriculture, business and culture. 

Looking ahead, they are getting ready for Legislative Breakfast & District Officer Training; Career and Technical Student Organization Legislative Shadow Day , February 6-7; FFA Week; Business and Industry Visits; and State Convention.

Sharing the FFA Story with policy makers

Remember being tongue tied the first time speaking to a state legislator, the governor, or a Congressman? For some of us, that was an experience FFA provided and coached us through at the FFA Legislative Breakfast. Thank you to our continued and new sponsors who see the value of this important event. District FFA officers will be hosting the SD FFA Legislative Breakfast February 14, sharing key messages about agriculture education and FFA and learning about the issues facing SD this year. In addition to the breakfast, district officers will receive a capitol tour, and leadership and key message training.  About 50% of the legislature attends annually - please encourage your representatives to attend and learn about agriculture education. 

FFA Stars with the Sioux Falls Stampede

See the future stars before they become stars - join us for our 1st FFA Night with the Sioux Falls Stampede. The thrills, Saturday, February 4, will include an FFA member singing the National Anthem and the Stampede taking on their I-29 rival - Fargo Force at the Sioux Falls Arena! The game starts at 7:05pm, with the gates opening at 6:15pm. Tickets are $8 with $2 from every ticket going back to the SD FFA Foundation.  Click here for details on getting your tickets!

Nineteen former Stampede players now serve as captains on their collegiate squad. A record 22 former players were in NHL training camps this fall, with 12 former stars currently skating in the NHL.

CONNECT! is for current members, former members and anyone who loves agriculture!
National FFA wants to hear about your memorable experiences and
the impact FFA has had on your life or the lives of those around you.

SDSU/FFA Corduroy Classic

A fun night of SDSU basketball, February 25, will be a celebration of the long term partnership between two builders of SD youth in agriculture. Come join the fun, and congratulate all the FFA members who will be recognized on center court for their accomplishments.  Thank you to Sioux Nation Ag Center for sponsoring SDSU ice cream for FFA members and advisors who attend. Get your tickets here!

Opportunity for America's Farmers to Grow Rural Education

Monsanto has just launched a national program called America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education.  They are giving out $25K and $10K grants to one school/crop reporting district.  A farmer nominates their school of choice to apply for the grant.  Then the school fills out the grant application pertaining to math and science.  A part of the grant application is Community Support.  This section is calculated by the amount of farmers that nominate a school.  So it is also important for farmers to nominate your school as well as schools to write a good grant.  The grant winners will be selected by a national farmer board in May 2012. 

Featured Fundraisers:

Sponsor a State Degree for a member
For just $5 you can make a difference and sponsor a State FFA Degree recipient.  Students receive a charm, framed certificate at the State FFA Convention in April, and an abundance of memories and experiences that will help them in the future.  You can sponsor 1 or 100.  All sponsors are recognized at convention during the ceremony.  Just go online and indicate they are for State FFA Degrees.

Remember the SD FFA Foundation!
Your gift, no matter the amount, makes a huge difference to SD Agriculture Food, Fiber and Natural Resources programs and FFA member success. Click Here to make an online gift to FFA or mail a donation to: SD FFA Foundation, 39393 133rd St., Bath, SD 57427